The East African Community (EAC) economic bloc reported 21.9pc growth in total value of trade which rose to $40.3 billion in the third quarter to September last year compared to $33 billion reported over the same period IN 2024.
The rise in total value of international merchandize trade was driven by exports which increased faster when compared to imports helping narrow the trade deficit to just $1 billion.
Quarterly statistics by EAC indicate that while exports grew by 32.3pc to reach $19.6 billion from $14.8 billion reported over the same period in 2024, imports increased by 13.3pc to $20.6 billion from $18.2 billion.
“The faster expansion of exports helped narrow the region’s trade deficit from $3.4 billion to $1 billion during the reference period. In the third quarter of 2025, the East African Community (EAC) recorded strong growth in international merchandise trade, driven by an increase in exports and continued improvement in regional production capacity,” said EAC in the bulletin.
According to the data, trade within the bloc increased by 15pc as intra-EAC total trade hit $4.8 billion during the quarter under review from $4.2 billion recorded in the corresponding quarter in 2024.
Trade with other African countries also rose by more than a third to reach $10.1 billion from $7.6 billion.
As of September last year, Africa accounted for 25.2pc of total trade followed by Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) 15.9pc, rest of the world 15.3pc, EAC 12pc and COMESA 10.4pc.
During the quarter under review, China was the region’s to trading partner with $5.75 billion, UAE $2.25 billion and South Africa $1.82 billion.
“China, the UAE, South Africa, Hong Kong, and Singapore absorbing 58pc of EAC exports up from 42.7pc a year earlier Emerging destinations such as Indonesia, Italy, and Greece also increased their demand for the region products,” said EAC.
